Student Life

It took only a few words for junior captain Lauren Nevinski to sum up the 2016-17 Concordia Volleyball season. For the first time in school history the Falcons clinched an automatic bid into the NCAA National Championship Tournament.

“It’s an unreal feeling,” Nevinski said.

The Falcons finished with the best record in school history, with a record of 22 wins, 8 losses. Nevinski, a middle hitter, led the team in solo blocks with 9.

“I’d say the best part of the season for me was beating Aurora to win the conference. No other team in Concordia history has done that so it was incredibly special to be a part of,” Nevinski said.

After winning the NACC conference championship 3-1 over Aurora, the Falcons left for Saint Paul, Minn., where they would eventually lose to No. 2 ranked Cal Lutheran, the reigning national champions.

“I think being able to go and compete against one of the best teams in the country was huge for us as far as mentality goes. This season proved to everyone involved in the program that we have the potential to go further into the NCAA tournament and play at an extremely high level,” Nevinski said.

And as the spring semester ends, the volleyball program continues to take steps forward to improve for next season.

“I think winning conference was really an eye opener for a lot of us. I’ve never been on a team that has made it to a big tournament like that so I think it’s just made us raise the bar on our expectations and our preparation,” said Nevinski. “We’re trying to keep making history.”

November began the start of festivities for Concordia as the school kicked off homecoming week.

“Homecoming is always a really festive time on campus,” said student Maddie Stressler. “Everybody really goes all out. The football game’s crowd is always huge and there’s always events going on somewhere on campus.”

Food, lawn games, and free t-shirts included the start of Freddy Fest. With Concordia’s student-run radio station WCUW “The Talon” providing music for the event, students flocked to the Regents Courtyard to tailgate before the Falcon football team took to the field.

After an exciting first half, the homecoming court crowned their king and queen. Seniors Erin Kline and Jonathon received the crown in front of the crowd. Halftime festivities continued as the 2006 Falcon Football team took center stage as they were honored for their accomplishments on the field.

“Seeing those guys get honored at halftime was really cool,” said Allison Neuberger. “Not only was it really awesome to see that alumni still appreciate Concordia, but it was also amazing to see one of the guys propose to his girlfriend. To be a part of that is pretty special.”

After the festivities of halftime ended, the Falcon football team took the field once more to battle against Rockford. Ultimately they won 49-46 in thrilling fashion after scoring a touchdown to take the lead with under a minute left to play.

To end homecoming weekend, Concordia students danced the night away at the River Club.

“The venue was really nice, as was the music,” said Tyler Martinkus. “To top it all off, the decorations really fit the theme of Once Upon a Time. Overall the whole thing was just an amazing time.”

As the night drew to an end, so did the week of festivities. And as the last guests strolled on out into the night, students anticipated next years’ activities.

Concordia University Wisconsin students spend free time in the student’s center, including a dining hall, billiards, televisions, and rooms for studying.

“I lived here on campus for two years, and I spend time here at the student’s center to hangout with other students and watch television,” Alessa said.

Some students visit the student’s center to do work. A few small rooms allow students to study, anytime as it’s open 24 hours.

Although the student center is usually a happy place, one issue for some students is its cleanliness, or lack thereof.

“I think the students should take care about this place more. When I come here with my friends, we see a lot of food and empty cans on the tables. As a student, I spend time here to watch television or eat dinner. We need some stuff to clean the student’s center every time, “Alharbi said.

Overall, the student center provides students with different resources when not in classes, something that will continue to happen.

Zoey is the first dog that was hired as a staff member at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon to perform the functions of a comfort dog and serve as a support for people.

The main mission of the Zoey is to promote relaxation as well as decrease stress and depression. In most cases, the interaction takes place in schools, universities, churches, hospitals, and nursing homes. In addition, the Zoey provides assistance and support in various disaster response situations.

She makes people smile and improves their mood during different stressful events in everyday life.

“I love to see Zoey at CUW, I believe that there is an understanding and communication between humans and animals, they bring comfort to us, ” Harbi said.

Zoey belongs to Lutheran Church Charities. Her membership in this religious organization is even supported by the personal Bible Verse Isaiah 66:13 “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

Due to her great job performance and assistance-providing, Zoey has received a lot of different awards, including LCC Comfort Dog, AKC Canine Good Citizen, and Pet Partners Therapy Dog.

At the beginning of the 2016 fall semester, Concordia University announced the addition of its newest student organization: the Black Student Union (BSU). The driving force behind its addition is to help raise awareness.

Despite what the name may imply, the BSU is a place for individuals from every race, gender, and ethnicity. It mission is to act as a “safety net” for students, providing them with a culturally responsive atmosphere in which students can thrive.

“The entire purpose of the club is to make people of all backgrounds feel welcome, as well as educate people on many different types of cultures,” member William Turner said. “Many clubs have a small mission, project, or event that is centered on making students feel welcome, but the entire core of the BSU is centered on making students here at Concordia as well as community members feel welcomed into our community.”

A key point in BSU’s purpose is its emphasis on community involvement. This focus is evident through BSU’s recent campaign: “Project CHANGE”.

According to BSU member Kristina Aguilera, Project CHANGE was established to give words of encouragement to K-8 and high school students, discuss college readiness, and share the benefits of Concordia University.

“It’s a collaborative project between the Athletic Department, School of Education, and the BSU in which an athlete, a student from the education program, and a professor will visit and speak to the students about the importance of giving your best effort in everything you do in life,” Aguilera said.

Although raising cultural awareness and ensuring academic success for students and future generations are important to the club, what truly sets it apart is its open door policy.

“Our members come from all different backgrounds and walks of life, but when we’re together, everyone kind of forgets all that, and you’re able to focus more on who that person is,” said Turner. “It’s not important what color your skin is, or what you talk like, or ever where you came from. It’s come as you are. No one is going to try to change you or make you participate in something you feel uncomfortable in. That’s what I think makes the BSU so special. It’s for everyone.”

Many international students want to work in order to pay for college. Therefore, in order to work in the U.S., every student of category F visa is eligible to have a Social Security number.

Social Security numbers are assigned to people who have the right to work in the U.S. These numbers were implemented to provide the government with information about wages, control paid taxes, and identify Social Security eligibility.

When international students come to the U.S., some have issues with the process.

“Unfortunately, I changed my major because of the SSN. I had to take a few courses out of the campus and these courses were required for the major. They needed a SSN so I couldn’t take the courses. Now I am with a new major, ” Annsar said.

The first Social Security Administration’s request is to provide evidence that a student is eligible to work. This requirement includes being a full-time student and having a formal offer from the campus employment department or being authorized to work by Academic Training, Optional Practical Training, or Curricular Practical Training.

A Social Security number is not required for purposes not related to work such as obtaining a driving license, insurance, and admission to an academic institution.

“CUW could help you with job here on campus, but as an international student you can work out of the campus due to your visa conditions, ” Alresheedi said.

The Social Security Administration must verify the student’s immigration documents before issuing the Social Security number. These documents must include a student’s name, a recent photo, and identifying information. New students are not eligible to apply for a number until 10 business days after entering the U.S.